Six Moon Designs Polycro Footprint Review

Overview

The Six Moon Designs Polycro Footprint is a sheet of clear, shrink-wrap-grade plastic sized for two-person shelters, and it adds about 51 g to a pack. It’s aimed at gram-counting duos and thru-hikers who want a barrier between a thin tent floor and the dirt without carrying Tyvek. The trade-off is the usual one for this material: it’s tough against punctures but easy to tear once an edge is nicked.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Material	Polycro (polyolefin) membrane
Dimensions	244 x 122 cm (96 x 48 in)
Thickness	0.19 mm (0.75 mil)
Weight	51 g
Pack quantity	2 sheets
Recommended shelters	Haven Zero-G, Haven Tarp, Haven NetTent, Lunar Duo Explorer, Lunar Duo Outfitter
Color	Clear

Performance

Polycro was originally made for window insulation and shrink-wrap. Backpackers adopted it because it’s waterproof, packs smaller than almost anything else, and resists punctures well for something this thin. Six Moon Designs positions the footprint as a lighter alternative to Tyvek. The company is upfront that it’s less durable than Tyvek but still gives meaningful protection.

Ground protection. On pine duff, packed dirt and grass, the sheet does its job: it keeps grit, damp and sap off a silnylon or Dyneema floor. Long-time users on SectionHiker and other forums describe sheets that lasted years without a puncture. The weak point is the edge. Once a nick or ragged cut exists, the film tears easily, and owners report that sharp granite, thorns and aggressive shaking out in the morning are the usual causes. One Backpacking Light contributor’s sheet lost two corners to sharp-edged rocks used as weights. Most owner accounts put the lifespan at one to three seasons, shorter than Tyvek.

Wind and handling. At 0.19 mm, the sheet will take off in a light breeze. Six Moon Designs says to weigh it down immediately after unrolling, and that’s the right instinct. Hikers on the JMT and other windy routes describe pitching on a thin plastic sheet as fiddly, and tears sometimes happen while adjusting it. The standard fix is to lay the footprint first, stake the shelter over it, and keep rocks on the corners until the pad and bag go down.

Condensation. Polycro doesn’t breathe. Expect the underside and the ground-facing side of your tent floor to pick up moisture overnight. The usual routine is to fold the sheet into an outer pocket in the morning and hang it to dry at breakfast or at a snack break. A damp sheet in the pack is a nuisance rather than a problem.

Fit. Sizing matters more than people expect. SectionHiker’s guidance is to keep the sheet within an inch or two of the floor perimeter. If it sticks out, rain pools on the plastic and wicks toward the tent floor. At 244 x 122 cm, this footprint is large enough for most duo floors, and it trims easily with scissors. A common trick is to fold the cut edges over double-sided tape. That reinforces the perimeter, which is where this material fails.

Heat. Because it’s the same film as window shrink wrap, Polycro can contract in high heat. Hikers report shrinkage of up to roughly 2 inches in width and 5 inches in length above about 110°F. That matters in the desert, in a parked car, and on dark rock in direct summer sun.

Value. The two-sheet pack is a practical touch. One sheet goes under the tent, and the second serves as a spare, a pack liner, a gear tarp for sorting at camp, or a replacement when the first one tears.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Listed weight of 51 g, and a second sheet in the box
• Large enough for most two-person floors, including Six Moon Designs’ own Haven and Lunar Duo shelters
• Packs to roughly the size of a fist
• Good puncture resistance for its thickness
• Waterproof and easy to trim to fit
• Cheap enough to treat as consumable

Cons

• Tears easily from edges and nicks, and poorly suited to sharp rock
• Blows around in light wind during setup
• Doesn’t breathe, so condensation builds up beneath the tent
• Can shrink in high heat
• Wears out in one to three seasons

Who Should Buy This

This is for duo backpackers and thru-hikers who pitch on forest floors, meadows and sandy campsites. It suits anyone who wants to protect a silnylon or Dyneema floor at almost no weight cost. It also suits anyone who doesn’t mind replacing the sheet periodically. Hikers who routinely camp on talus, rocky alpine benches or thorny desert should look at Six Moon Designs’ Tyvek footprint instead, or skip a footprint and choose campsites carefully. Solo hikers should buy the Small size rather than trimming this one down.

Verdict

The Polycro Footprint is a sensible, inexpensive way to shield a duo shelter’s floor for about 51 g, with a spare sheet included. It’s not durable, and it needs careful handling and a clean pitch. Gram-counting pairs who camp mostly on soft ground should buy it. Hikers who camp rough should pay the weight penalty for Tyvek.